HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 20

 

December 20, 2024

Colossians 1:19-20

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to
dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.



The eternal God, creator of all things, the righteous and holy One, took on flesh and became human. Incarnation. Everytime I read the above passage I am struck by one word in particular. It is the word "pleased". God's attitude toward the Incarnation, becoming human, was that he was "pleased." I think if the passage above said God was "willing" that might have been the best we should have hoped for. But no. Paul tells us that God was pleased to dwell in human flesh in "all his fullness". This should leave us all amazed!

Why would God be pleased to take on flesh and give his life on the cross for people who .... well for people like you and me. People who, as the Hymn writer puts it, are "prone to wander". A father willing to die for his child is something we understand. But Jesus is pleased to lovingly die for his enemies, that they might receive his gift of love and sacrifice, that they might be among those who receive the "right to be called children of God." I believe this tells us something important: God is all about peace and reconciliation.

In Hebrews 12:2, we are told that Christ endured the cross “for the joy set before him.” That joy is creation’s reconciliation and peace with God. This promise of peace is the message that was spoken to Adam and Eve after the fall. This is the message delivered to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is the message placed in the mouths of the Old Testament prophets and sung by angels to shepherds. And this is the gospel that Christians proclaim and cling to today. Out of incomprehensible  love, God was pleased to become human and shed his blood to bring peace and reconciliation to the world. The Incarnation, Christmas, is the declaration that God is not only willing to make peace with you and me, he is pleased to do it.

Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King"
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled
Joyful all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic hosts proclaim
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King"